Volvo cars will be equipped with new generation computers NVIDIA

It will help the Swedish automaker to introduce fully autonomous vehicles.

Volvo Cars, the premium vehicle maker, and NVIDIA, the leading artificial intelligence (AI) computing firm, are joining forces for the development of a highly advanced, AI-capable core computer for the next generation of Volvo cars.

Volvo is already working with NVIDIA through its collaboration with a manufacturer of automotive safety systems Autoliv the company Zenuity. For those who are not familiar with Level 4 autonomous technology, at this level the vehicle can drive on its own but still driver can control it when needed through steering wheels and pedals.

Nvidia's Drive AGX Xavier technology will provide the Swedish premium auto group with a computing platform that offers more power for advanced driver assistance systems and the flexibility to upgrade the car's functions if and when needed. Furthermore, the advanced 360-degree perception capabilities and a driver monitoring system through the core computer could help Volvo Cars to safely introduce fully autonomous cars.

The automaker has said it will eventually offer Level 4 autonomy on its second-generation Scalable Product Architecture (SPA 2), which will debut with the launch of the third-generation XC90 flagship due in 2021. What Volvo did was upgrade the SPA 2 so that it keeps everything that is useful and at the same time get all the next-gen technologies that Volvo has to offer right now. "Making this possible will require sensor architecture, AI software, computing and safety technology like nothing the world has ever made".

"A successful launch of autonomous drive will require an enormous amount of computing power as well as constant advances in artificial intelligence", Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said in a statement.

"As a world-leader in safety technology and innovation, Volvo understands there is a direct connection between safety, comfort, and the computing capability inside the vehicle", said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.

Separately, Swedish supplier Veoneer and Germany's Continental also announced deeper ties with Nvidia.

Start of production of the new Volvo is expected in early 2020, writes The Verge.